170 THE AGRICULTURAL BLOC 



distribution of the profit from production. The 

 great inequalities in the division of the cost 

 of the product to the consumer between the re- 

 tail distributor, the handler, the transporter and 

 the producer, grow out of our complicated sys- 

 tem of distribution involving many expenses for 

 service which cannot long endure. Improve- 

 ment of our marketing system cannot be made 

 at one stroke nor through the adoption of any 

 single gigantic plan of replacement of the pres- 

 ent system, but must come through gradual 

 improvements, one step at a time, by eliminating 

 excessive costs, regulating those who make un- 

 reasonable profits and charges and by avoiding 

 waste. The wastes in our present distribution 

 system will, if saved, more than pay in a single 

 year for the cost of all the improved marketing 

 devices yet adopted. 



A national policy of agricultural advance- 

 ment has been taking form rapidly during the 

 last few years. Such a policy cannot be evolved 

 in a day but must come gradually through the 

 steady growth of knowledge and appreciation by 

 large numbers of people. The movement which 

 has taken the form of the subject of this book 

 is in a way an expression of the growth of feel- 

 ing among agricultural leaders. It has not been 



